Channel 3's decision to can 'Nua Mek 2' probed

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is looking into Channel 3's decision to pull the 'Nua Mek 2' serial abruptly off the air.

At a meeting yesterday, the NBC handed the matter to a subcommittee. It expects a report to be tabled on the controversy next week.

“Nua Mek 2” was pulled off the air last Friday, two episodes ahead of schedule, amid widespread speculation that government powerbrokers disliked the political parody.

An online survey conducted by Bansomdej Poll found that 96 per cent of 1,511 respondents did not agree with the axing of the series and 77 per cent believed the government was involved in its sudden removal.

A group of hackers, who identified themselves as “Unlimited Hack Team”, broke into the Channel 3 website and posted a message asking, “Where’s my Nua Mek?” yesterday evening.

The message appeared for about 15 minutes.

NBC chairman Natee Sukonrat said viewers could lodge a complaint over the series’ sudden removal because their rights were violated.

Late last year, the NBC launched a probe into Channel 11 for its broadcast of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s speech as part of a boxing event in Macau.

It finally concluded that the channel did not violate any laws, but warned the service provider to exercise more caution in the future.

Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation is investigating alleged irregularities in MCOT’s decision to extend its concession for Channel 3. The decision, according to the complainants, has cost the state Bt7 billion in lost revenue.